Chapter 1081: You Know, You Have A Nice Body Deep underground... The Azothralls were busy drilling tunnels to escape the pursuit of the Jinns as quickly as possible. Although there were many Jinns that could burrow underground, the Artemian Army had more high-ranking monsters who could fight them at their best in this environment. All Azothralls, including the Golden Azothralls and the Rank 8s, had the ability to dig. And if things went south, they wouldn’t hesitate to collapse the tunnels behind them, burying any pursuers without a second thought. While the Jinns could do the same, the Azothralls far surpassed their capabilities in the same field. In the end, the Jinns could only retreat, giving the Artemian Army some breathing time. Lucan’s face was filled with rage, knowing his army had been reduced to nearly half of its total size. While the Jinns suffered thousands of casualties, the Artemians suffered thousands more. They were clearly the losers in this clash between the two major forces that currently occupied the Cygni Continent. ’Damn it!’ Lucan cursed internally as he guarded the rear of their army. ’Damn that stupid lizard prince! Damn those who took Zia away! Damn everything!’ He didn’t regret that he chose to kidnap Zia on the day he first saw her. What he regretted most was not understanding how Prince Aurelion had discovered that it was he who had taken the young lady from under his nose. Lastly, he wanted to know the third party who came to rescue Zia from them, which led to an all-out war between them and the Jinns. ’It’s all their fault,’ Lucan clenched his fists so hard that cracking sounds could be heard around him. "When I get their hands on them, I’ll make them regret they were even born in this world!’ While the Artemian Commander was filled with rage, everything was peaceful inside Rocky’s Mobile Fortress. Princess Xynalia looked at Princess Aracelle, who was giving Zia a lap pillow. She didn’t know that the princess of House Pavareth was currently inside the Mobile Fortress all this time. Also, the young lady, who goes by the name Tiona, was busy talking to a few people using Zion’s communicator. This was the first time that she was seeing her, but her sister, Princess Laventia, said that she was the black snake who was always coiled around Zion’s neck. Wanting to know more, Princess Xynalia asked Pico and Pico about Tiona. The two Pocopocos were more than happy to tell her more about their "Boss", whom they recognized as Zion’s second-in-command. They knew about Tiona long before they met her for the first time. It was because their parents had told them stories about their adventures with Zion. Tiona was someone whom Zion had cared about, so they were always together. "If we are going to rank the ladies in Master’s life, Tiona is at the highest rank," Pica stated. "Even Sherry and Erica, Master’s official fiancees, will not dare to usurp her place." "Has she always had this form?" Princess Xynalia gave the young lady in the distance with a side-long glance. "Well, to be honest, this is the first time we’ve seen Boss’ Tiona’s human form," Pico replied. "I don’t think Master has seen this form of her as well." "He hadn’t seen her in this form?" Princess Xynalia asked. "Not that I am aware of," Pico answered. "Isn’t that right, Sis?" "Yes." Pica nodded. Just as Princess Laventia was about to ask more questions, he heard her sister, Princess Laventia, talking to her boyfriend over the communicator, informing him that she was safe. She couldn’t help but smile at the sight of her sister acting like a lady in love, making her reflect about her own love life. The princess then glanced at the sleeping Zia, whose body would glow faintly from time to time. Even from a distance, she could feel a great surge of power from the sleeping young lady. No one knew when she would wake up or what would happen once she does. Since Princess Xynalia was observing Zia, she didn’t notice that Tiona had appeared right beside her, making her jump in fright when the young lady whispered in her ears. "What is your relationship with my Master?" Tiona asked. "Kyaaah!" Princess Xynalia jumped to the side after the unexpected words that took her by surprise. "R-Relationship? I don’t have any relationship with him!" Princess Xynalia replied. "You don’t want to?" Tiona asked in a teasing tone. "!" Princess Xynalia didn’t know how to react after hearing the playful voice of the young lady, whom Pica and Pico had said to be the one whom their Master trusted the most. After regaining her composure, Princess Xynalia glared at Tiona because she thought that snake lady was making fun of her. "Don’t be angry," Tiona said after seeing the succubus princess’ hateful glare. "Ah, before I forget, I have sent one of my demons to tell your Aunt that you and your sister are safe. They brought a communicator with them, so she should contact you soon." "T-Thank you," Princess Xynalia was also very worried about her Aunt, as well as the succubi of the Velmoria Kingdom. They had been forcefully drafted to participate in the war and might have suffered many casualties during the fighting. "You know, in the past, my Master didn’t know the meaning of love," Tiona said as she looked at the young lady who was sleeping peacefully in Princess Aracelle’s lap. "It is not because he is incapable of loving someone. No. It’s because his heart has broken so many times in the past." "He is heartbroken?" Princess Xynalia frowned. "How many lovers did he have? Isn’t he still very young? Who are those ladies who broke his heart?" For some reason, Princess Xynalia felt flustered after knowing that Zion had been heartbroken many times in the past. ’Maybe that’s the reason why he acts coldly from time to time,’ Princess Xynalia thought. "It’s complicated..." Tiona replied. "But he’s only starting to understand what love is." The young lady then pointed at Princess Aracelle, who was lovingly caressing Zia’s hair as if she were something very precious. "It’s because of them," Tiona stated. "The ladies who wished to become part of his life. Their joint effort successfully taught Master to feel things he has never felt before and do things he has never done before. "Love, a strange feeling for him, has become something he could now feel in his heart. Still, Master is still very far from truly understanding the concept of love." As someone who had been with Zion the longest, she had seen many sides of him, which were very dear to her. Tiona sighed before shaking her head helplessly. "Master’s lovers are very active, and they always milk him dry. I even heard Princess Aracelle say that she wants to get pregnant soon, and she is doing her best to conceive every time they do it. One of these days, she will get lucky and get pregnant with Master’s child." Princess Xynalia’s face reddened and couldn’t help but curse the Princess of House Pavareth for doing that to Zion. However, when she realized that a part of her wished to experience that as well, she immediately tossed the idea to the side. She knew that the more she thought about it, the more likely she would develop feelings for the person, who had given her a lasting impression. "You know, you have a nice body," Tiona whispered. "I’m sure you will give birth to a healthy child." "W-What are you talking about?!" Princess Xynalia asked. "And why do you sound like you’re looking for more partners for your Master? Don’t you feel jealous or irritated that he has so many lovers?" "Not at all," Tiona replied without hesitation. "Master deserves to be loved. And the more people who love him, the faster he will be able to understand what love is." "Hmph! Do you really think it works that way?" Princess Xynalia scoffed. "If he can love anyone, then wouldn’t his love become cheap?" "No," Tiona answered. "Master had loved many times in the past. But he never knew that it was love. In fact, I am one of those he loved the most." "Are you bragging?" "Not at all. Just stating a fact." Princess Xynalia noticed the faint smile on Tiona’s face as if telling her that she knew Zion from the inside out. A part of her felt jealous of Tiona’s confidence because she sounded so certain, which meant that she really knew a lot more about Zion compared to her. "Just a piece of advice," Tiona stated. "Master is an amazing person. He is very smart, cunning, and also vengeful. But no matter how talented he is, he is unable to read people’s minds. "So, unless you tell him how you really feel, he will not know till the end of time. That is just who he is." Princess Xynalia shook her head. "You’re overthinking this. He is just an ally of mine. Nothing more, nothing less." "Just an ally, huh?" Tiona smirked. "Then why do you look at Zia as if you wish to eat her up?" "Nonsense!" Princess Xynalia vehemently denied Tiona’s allegations. "I will not fall for such a cheap trick!" The succubus princess then stormed away, and entered one of the cottages inside the mobile fortress, which were meant for guests. Tiona watched her go, and simply looked at her retreating back. When the princess could no longer be seen, the young lady tapped on her communicator, and contacted Jubei, who was currently on standby in the Nautilus. "Head to the north of the continent, Jubei," Tiona ordered. "We will be taking Master there. Your priority is to protect her until she wakes up." "Yes, My Lady," Jubei replied. The Wanderers and the Jinns were currently having talks with each other for their temporary truce and alliance. Both sides knew that they were simply using each other to wipe out a third party, who was currently a big threat to them. While Tiona didn’t know what kind of conditions the two sides would agree to, she decided to just wait until Arthur Leventis reached out to her to inform her about the result of the meeting. Right now, her priority was her Master’s safety. That said, the plan was to go deep into the northern lands, thinking that it would be the safest place in the continent for them. ———— A/N: I’ve been suffering for the past few days due to GERD, and having trouble breathing. But after my X-ray today, I was told I also have Pneumonia, which was one of the main reasons why it was so hard to breathe, especially at night. I will rest early for today because I don’t really feel well. Thank you everyone for your understanding. Last, but not the least, I will be putting my discord server link on the synopsis of this novel for a limited time only. Those who have been finding ways to look for me, feel free to join the server. Good day everyone, and see you in the next Chapters!